Who's Playing Who?

Not long to go now, only two weeks until the grand final, and the games are starting to hot up. This weekend the Tigers ‘reward’ for beating the Dragons in an intense encounter is a game against the 6th placed Warriors, who lost by 30 points to the Broncos. Along the same lines, the Broncos ‘reward’ is a sudden death clash with the Dragons, who entered the finals in great form. Apparently that’s the best finals system around… anyway, check out the teams, with some BIG inclusions.

Tigers: Tim Moltzen, Beau Ryan, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Lote Tuqiri, Benji Marshall, Rob Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Liam Fulton, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange (from): Mitch Brown, Mark Flanagan, Matt Groat, Aaron Woods, Matt Utai, Ben Murdoch-Masila

Ins: Chris Lawrence, Ben Murdoch-Masila

Outs: None

Warriors: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Lewis Brown, Krisnan Inu, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (C), Micheal Luck. Interchange (from): Lance Hohaia, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Ukuma Ta’Ai, Elijah Taylor

Ins: Kristan Inu, Elijah Taylor

Outs: Joel Moon (ankle)

Matt Considers: Nine in a row, and now the Tigers meet sudden death football against the only side in the competition as unpredictably entertaining as themselves. They welcome back boom centre Chris Lawrence from a hamstring injury, but coach Tim Sheens has warned not to expect miracles from the Kangaroo representative. Matt Utai drops back to the bench, while Ben Murdoch-Masila returns to the bench after playing in the Tigers’ Toyota Cup team’s loss last week. For the Warriors, Kristan Inu returns to the side in the centres in the place of Joel Moon, who dislocated his ankle last week against the Broncos. Dream Team gun Elijah Taylor also joins the bench after missing out last week. The big question is over The Beast Manu Vatuvei, who couldn’t catch a cold last week. If he fires the Tigers could be in some trouble, but they will still enter as favourites.

Broncos: Gerard Beale, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yew, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Ben Hannant, Alex Glenn, Ben Te’o, Corey Parker. Interchange: Matt Gillett, Ben Hunt, Scott Anderson, David Hala

Ins: None

Outs: None

Dragons: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby (c), Dan Hunt, Nathan Fien, Michael Weyman, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Dean Young. Interchange (from): Jon Green, Matt Prior, Adam Cuthbertson, Trent Merrin, Mitch Rein

Ins: Adam Cuthbertson

Outs: None

Adrian Considers: The Broncos side which sent the Warriors packing (well… sent them to the next round of the finals… what’s up with that?) is back again – no changes. Just the one change for the Dragons, with Adam Cuthbertson named on an extended bench as he was last week. Interestingly, Wayne Bennett has opted to go with three hookers again, with Fien in 9, Dean Young at lock, and Mitch Rein on the bench. Rein started last week, pushing Fien back to the bench… Will we see the same thing again? Or will someone else miss out? I guess we’ll have to wait until the night of the game. I’m sure Bennett has a few tricks lined up his sleeve…